Director of Major Gifts

The Director of Major Gifts is a key member of Curtis’s Advancement team, reporting directly to the Senior Vice President for Advancement. The role is externally focused, building and strengthening relationships with individual major donors ($25,000 and above), while developing and overseeing the team’s overarching major gifts plan. The Director of Major Gifts will manage the Associate Director of Major Gifts and collaborate with the Advancement team overall to meet strategic goals.

The Director of Major Gifts is an ideal position for an experienced development professional seeking a collaborative work environment that is focused on excellence in planning and implementing fundraising strategies within a legacy organization with a passionate global constituency. Curtis’s mission – to educate and train exceptionally gifted young musicians to engage a local and global community through the highest level of artistry – provides an ideal platform for a development professional’s fundraising success accompanied by many opportunities to engage constituents at student recitals and performances throughout the academic year.

Key Responsibilities:

• Portfolio Management: Manage a portfolio of about 125 current and prospective major gifts donors ($25,000+), including planned giving donors and prospects. Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation and stewardship plans for assigned donors and work collaboratively with Curtis colleagues and leadership to present compelling funding opportunities that advance Curtis’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Staff Management: Meet with the Associate Director of Major Gifts on a regular basis to guide and support their prospect management activity. Establish expectations for the pace of meaningful donor activity and fundraising results and monitor progress to goals, providing alternative tactics when necessary to ensure an optimal ROI.
• Program Planning and Strategy: Create and implement an annual plan for the major gifts program, including fundraising goals and sub-goals. Ensure alignment of the case for support with new major gift opportunities. Work collaboratively with Director of Advancement Operations to maintain a robust prospect pipeline review process that drives new prospect assignments and captures qualification outcomes. Assess risk in the major gifts annual plan and create contingency plans.
• Departmental Leadership: As a member of the Advancement leadership team, maintain an active understanding of adjacent goals, strengths and challenges within the department and serve as an effective and supportive colleague and resource. Provide ongoing skill development opportunities – for the Associate Director of Major Gifts as well as the rest of the Advancement team – and share knowledge that can strengthen the skills and strategies for the Advancement team. Support the Senior Vice President as a strategic thought partner and as a secondary relationship manager for SVP’s managed prospects.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Curtis welcomes applications from people with a wide variety of experience and backgrounds, who are eager to work hard, learn, and contribute.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five to seven years of fundraising experience, including increased responsibilities and success in setting strategy and achieving goals.
• Track record of success in managing relationships with individual donors, including creating solicitation strategies, qualification protocols, and stewardship plans.
• Experience soliciting major gifts specifically. Campaign experience a plus.
• Excellent communications skills – written and verbal – and a demonstrated ability to articulate philanthropic opportunities in a compelling and accurate way.
• A genuine interest in building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to be diplomatic at all times and maintain a problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to be both collaborative and to work autonomously.
• Clear understanding of the importance of confidentiality and adhering to the highest standards of industry ethics.
• A current interest in music education or the performing arts is ideal; knowledge of UHNW philanthropists who support these areas is a plus.
• Proficiency with using various tools related to fundraising including CRM, research services, and the full Office 365 platform.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Exertional requirements are consistent with routine office environment.
• This is an onsite position in Philadelphia, PA.
• Some nights and weekends will be required for performances and fundraising events.
• Some travel is required.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire.
• The final candidate will be required to successfully pass a background check and obtain PA Act 153 clearances.

Compensation and Benefits

• Gross annual salary for this position is $135,000 – 145,000, commensurate with experience.
• The Curtis Institute of Music offers a number of perks for full-time staff including complimentary meals on campus during the academic year, and mass transit support with employer-sponsored, all-access SEPTA Key Advantage program or PATCO enrollment.
• This position is benefits eligible. Curtis offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees including health, dental, and vision insurance, basic term life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, supplemental insurance options, and paid parental leave.
• 401k plan participation begins after 1 year of eligible service consistent with the plan requirements.